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Updated: December 9th, 2010 8:44am
Twins select LHP Scott Diamond in the Rule 5 draft

Twins select LHP Scott Diamond in the Rule 5 draft

by Phil Mackey
1500ESPN.com
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Minnesota Twins selected left-handed starting pitcher Scott Diamond from the Atlanta Braves' Triple-A roster in Thursday's Rule 5 draft.

Diamond, 24 posted a 3.46 ERA with a 1.39 WHIP, 123 strikeouts and 54 walks in 158 2/3 innings last season between Double- and Triple-A.

Baseball America's Ben Badler describes Diamond as a "Lefty who throws strikes, has two solid pitches and gets ground balls."

It's possible the Twins could convert Diamond to a reliever to help fill a left-handed void. He could also become the Twins' long reliever.

Rule 5 draft picks cost each team $50,000. Diamond must remain on the Twins' 25-man roster for the entire season, otherwise he must be offered back to the Braves.

Phil Mackey is a columnist for 1500ESPN.com. He co-hosts "Reusse & Mackey" weekdays from 4 to 6pm on 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
Email Phil | @PMac21 | Reusse and Mackey
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